July 6 – Jan Hus Day in the Czech Republic

Posted
on July 6, 2015

Today
is a public holiday in the Czech Republic. It honors Jan Hus, a
priest who also taught and a philosopher who also tried to reform
(make better) society and religion.

Born
in 1369, Hus lived before some of the other Roman Catholic Church
reformers who ended up creating the Protestant movement in the 1500s.
(Martin Luther was one of the more famous Protestant reformers.) He
is considered one of the first Church reformers. He was not
necessarily all that successful in his own lifetime at winning the
reforms he sought, since he was burned at the stake for “heresy”
(religious teachings that are considered incorrect by the powers that
be).

Hus's
martyrdom occurred on this date in 1415.

But
the Czech people celebrate him, because his reforms made a huge
impact after his death. Hus's followers were so upset at his cruel
execution, they rebelled against their Roman Catholic rulers. There
were a series of wars that have become known as the Hussite Wars, and
by the 1500s as many as 90% of the people living on Czech lands were
non-Catholic, and many of them were followers of Hus's teachings.

Hus
also influenced Martin Luther and perhaps other later reformers as
well.

Did
you know...?

The
Czech Republic is made up of three historical regions: Bohemia,

Moravia, and Czech Silesia.

After
World War I, and up until 1993, the Czech Republic had been bundled
together with Slovakia to create Czechoslovakia.

The
capital city, Prague, is supposed to be one of the most wonderful
cities in the world. Some people say THE most beautiful city in the
entire world. What do you think?

I
read that Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world in terms
of area. It's about 1,000 years old. When you go to visit, the
highlights include a cathedral, a basilica, a tower, a palace, a
royal garden with a “Singing Fountain,” and “Golden Lane,”
which is lined with medieval workshops. That sounds like a lot of
stuff in just one castle!

Some
of the world's oldest and most magnificent libraries are found in
Prague.

There
are thousands of human skeletons on bizarre display at the famous
“Bone Church” in the Czech Republic.

The
“Bohemian Paradise” is special because of the rock formations
that stand up out of the ground like sculptures.

There
are plenty more cool castles in the nation, but I thought this
Hluboka Castle was really pretty:

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This site is designed to be a source of interesting articles for kids and a resource for teachers and parents (especially homeschool teacher/parents!). From world holidays to historical anniversaries, Every Day Is Special celebrates each and every day.